Midland New Site Airport Proposal: RAF Operations

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Royal Air Force will continue to be able to overfly central and east Warwickshire if a major new airport is built on land between Coventry and Rugby; and
	Whether, if the Royal Air Force cannot continue to overfly central and east Warwickshire, they will be able to move their operations elsewhere; and, if so, where; and
	To what extent the Royal Air Force's flight and navigational training programmes will be adversely affected if they cannot continue to overfly central and east Warwickshire.

Lord Bach: The development of the midland new site airport is one of many options being considered by the Department for Transport in its examination of the United Kingdom's future requirement for air transport, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom. No decision has yet been taken on whether to build a new airport at a site between Coventry and Rugby, and the study is currently in the consultation phase. It is too early to predict what the impact of such a development on RAF operations might be. The Ministry of Defence will continue to work closely with the DfT throughout the development of the strategy.

MND: US Gulf Veterans Study

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information they have on the decision of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to compensate Gulf war veterans afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease, and the reasoning that informed their decision.

Lord Bach: On 10 December 2001 the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the preliminary findings of a US Government-sponsored study of the prevalence among US Gulf veterans of motor neurone disease (MND), known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the US. The VA and US Department of Defense both released some information about the study and its implications via news releases available on the Internet at www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/docs/dsals.doc and www.gulflink.osd.mil/latest-news.html. The Ministry of Defence has received no further information and awaits publication of the detailed research. The MoD cannot take a view on whether there is a link between MND and service in the Gulf until the research has been published.
	It has always been the case in the United Kingdom that because the cause of MND is not known, if it is diagnosed and claimed within seven years of leaving the Armed Forces a war disablement pension, and associated benefits, may be paid. In addition, UK Gulf veterans may qualify for benefits under the Armed Forces Pensions Scheme.

Royal Artillery

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to reorganise the Royal Artillery regiments.

Lord Bach: We have been looking at how to optimise the Royal Artillery to meet the demands of the new security environment.
	The Army currently has two combined regular multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)/unmanned air vehicle (UAV) (Phoenix) regiments: 32 Regiment Royal Artillery based at Larkhill, Wiltshire and 39 Regiment Royal Artillery at Harlow Hill near Newcastle. Each of these regiments has two batteries of nine MLRS launchers and one battery of three troops of UAVs (Phoenix).
	As a result of past successful deployments, the capability of Phoenix has become more widely recognised and valued within the military command structure. It has, therefore, been decided that a revised structure would provide a better focus for UAVs. In line with the direction set in the new chapter to the Strategic Defence Review this new structure will establish UAVs as a valuable asset for surveillance and intelligence gathering in addition to being Royal Artillery target acquisition assets to support the indirect fire system. The impact on the Royal Artillery will be the separation of these capabilities and the creation of discrete regiments: UAV (Phoenix) at Larkhill and MLRS at Harlow Hill. The reorganisation will require inter-regimental moves of complete sub-units but will not have any significant impact on the overall numbers of personnel at each site.
	The field standard B2 variant of the Rapier missile system has reached the end of its useful life and will be withdrawn from service by 31 March 2003. The system is currently operated by 22 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire. Following the withdrawal of the Rapier FSB2 equipment, 22 Regiment will undertake a tour in Cyprus in the infantry role during the second half of 2003 before it is disbanded in March 2004. Personnel from the regiment will be redeployed to other Royal Artillery units to support the introduction of planned new "network-centric" capabilities as described in the new chapter, including the Watchkeeper UAV.
	Our future Rapier air defence capability will be based on the more advanced field standard C model operated by 16 Regiment Royal Artillery and the Royal Air Force Regiment. The capability of 16 Regiment will be enhanced by the creation of a fourth battery. In addition, we plan to move 16 Regiment from Woolwich to Kirton-in-Lindsey in late 2004. It will then be close to both the Air Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington and the Joint Rapier Training Unit at Honington, bringing a number of practical benefits.

ISAF

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the International Security Assistance Force is to be extended beyond December 2002.

Lord Bach: We welcome the decision by the United Nations' Security Council on 27 November 2002 to adopt Resolution 1444, extending the authority of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to deploy for a further 12 months, from 20 December 2002. The extension comes in recognition of the valuable work undertaken by the ISAF in helping to provide a secure environment in Kabul, allowing the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, headed by President Karzai, to pursue the difficult task of rebuilding the country.
	The new resolution reaffirms the remit of the ISAF as covering Kabul and its immediate environs. The resolution recognises that security within Afghanistan is primarily a matter for the Afghans themselves and commends their efforts to establish representative, professional and multi-ethnic security forces.
	Germany and the Netherlands have offered to assume jointly the role of ISAF lead nation upon the completion of Turkey's tenure in command. The United Kingdom anticipates remaining a significant contributor to the ISAF. At a force generation conference on 27 November, the United Kingdom offered to provide staff officers, an infantry company and a bulk fuel installation. Together with their associated support forces, these total over 300 troops, which is consistent in size with our current deployment.

Armed Forces: Smallpox

Baroness Goudie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to protect the United Kingdom Armed Forces from smallpox.

Lord Bach: Smallpox is a deadly and highly contagious disease that could be used as a biological weapon. Currently we do not assess that there is any immediate threat to our Armed Forces from smallpox. But the consequences of any release of smallpox could be very serious, so we continue to monitor the threat closely, and take precautions.
	We continually review the package of defensive measures against chemical and biological attack available to our Armed Forces, which includes vaccination. We have decided to offer vaccination against smallpox to a small number of specialist military personnel who face a greater risk of exposure to smallpox by virtue of their specialisation. This will include those NBC specialists and specialist medical personnel who would form the spearhead of our defensive reponse, including vaccination teams, in the event of a confirmed, suspected or threatened release of smallpox. The Department of Health, with which we are working closely, is planning to vaccinate a similar cohort of healthcare professionals.
	As with other vaccines, vaccination against smallpox will be voluntary and on the basis of informed consent.
	This work has been taken forward under the cross-governmental civil contingency machinery for which the Home Secretary has overall responsibility.

Electronic Networks: Strategy Unit Report

Baroness Goudie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the Strategy Unit report on Electronic Networks.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Strategy Unit's report Electronic Networks: Challenges for the Next Decade is being published today. The report is an important contribution to the strategic thinking for the new Office of Communications (Ofcom).
	The report reviews the likely range of technology and market developments over the next decade and the challenges they raise for Government and the regulator; considers the importance of electronic networks, including the development of broadband, to the UK's productivity and long-run economic growth; and presents a strategic view of the Government's objectives in the development of electronic networks over the next decade, with a particular focus on the regulatory goals and approach.
	The majority of the report's recommendations will be for Ofcom to consider and take forward and to report on in its annual report. DTI, working with other government departments and the devolved administrations, will also be responsible for considering and taking forward some recommendations.
	Comments on the report are invited and should be sent to the Department of Trade and Industry using the email address electronic.networks@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk.
	Copies of the report have been placed in the Printed Paper Office, the Vote Office and the Libraries of both Houses.

Market Town Initiative: Alnwick

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the money intended for regeneration projects under the Market Town initiative is reaching its intended targets; and, in particular, whether the single programme, administered by officers of the Northumberland Strategic Partnership, has not subsumed funds intended for the town of Alnwick.

Lord Whitty: The Market Town initiative, announced in the Rural White Paper in 2000, continues to make progress, even if in some areas slower than in others. In Alnwick the main limitation on fund availability has been the time taken to put forward its action plans and projects. However, the long-term benefit and the effectiveness of local plans are what matter most.
	One North East, the Development Agency for the north east region, has set aside £2.6 million for the initiative in Northumberland over the three years 2001–02 to 2003–04. This will be allocated to the eight towns in the regional programme—including Alnwick—according to the quality of the projects put forward to the Northumberland Strategic Partnership by the individual town partnerships. One North East's single programme has been allocated sufficient funds for the initiative to continue indefinitely after 2004.

Horticulture Research International

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that Horticulture Research International remains financially viable.

Lord Whitty: Horticulture Research International (HRI) is the subject of a quinquennial review which is examining its performance and organisational status. The report of the independent review team was published on 23 September for public consultation. The department is currently considering stakeholder comments and we expect to announce the way forward shortly. We are seeking to work closely with HRI and its stakeholders to ensure that the organisation has a viable future.

Horticulture Research International

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Ministers or officials played any part in bringing about the reopening of Stockbridge House Experimental Station following its closure in 2000.

Lord Whitty: On 11 September 2000 Horticulture Research International (HRI) announced the closure of its operation at Stockbridge House, North Yorkshire as part of a restructuring of its business agreed with the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF).
	MAFF, as owner of the site, subsequently made arrangements to sell the land on the open market. This was in accordance with Treasury rules which require departments to dispose of surplus assets at the best price reasonably obtainable in the market. Following HRI's withdrawal from the site on 31 March 2001, MAFF allowed Stockbridge Technology Centre to lease some facilities and to look after the agricultural land under a temporary management agreement pending sale.
	The land was subsequently sold to Stockbridge Technology Centre, which made the best offer. The district valuer considered that its offer was fair and reasonable. The sale was handled by professional agents acting on behalf of the department.
	Ministers and officials were involved in a number of discussions with HRI and others concerning the events described above. However, they did not "bring about" the sale of the land to the current owner. As explained, the land was sold in accordance with Treasury procedures for the disposal of surplus assets.

Disabled Children

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many disabled children live with their families; and how many in residential care; and
	What is the number of disabled children in the United Kingdom.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys research published in 1989 estimated that overall there were 360,000 children under the age of 16 in Great Britain who had one or more disabilities.
	Of these, the survey estimated that 91.2 per cent of these children lived with their parents, 0.6 per cent with other relatives, 2.4 per cent in foster homes and 4.4 per cent attending boarding schools either as termly or weekly boarders, while 1.5 per cent lived in communal establishments. (NB. Does not add to 100 per cent owing to rounding.)
	The Children's National Service Framework (NSF)External Working Group developing standards for disabled children is considering as part of its work how best to improve the statistical information available on disabled children.

Disabled Children

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What support services and financial help are provided for families with disabled children living at home; whether these services take account of the extra cost of caring for a disabled child; and whether these services are available uniformly throughout the United Kingdom.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: A wide range of family support services is provided by the local authorities and the health service. Services include advice, guidance and counselling; short-term breaks; day care; home help; domiciliary care; nursing and medical support; social events and outings for parents and children; child care and family centres. The Government, through various programmes, including implementation of the NHS Plan and Quality Protects, are working to tackle inequalities and reduce unacceptable variations in NHS and social services provision. We are also increasing funding specifically for families of disabled children. Through the Quality Protects programme we have earmarked funding of £60 million over three years for services to disabled children. Next year this funding doubles from £15 million to £30 million.
	There is also a range of welfare benefits available to families to help with the additional costs of caring for disabled children, depending on their individual circumstances. These include disability living allowance and invalid care allowance. In addition, the Government fund the Family Fund Trust (FFT) which supports families of severely disabled children under 16 with grants for items such as holidays and leisure breaks, washing machines and tumble dryers, bedding and clothing. The FFT operates throughout the United Kingdom. The Government are funding the charity Contact a Family to run a free national telephone help and advice line for disabled children, parents and carers.

Adoption

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is their intention to withdraw from the European Convention on Adoption in view of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The United Kingdom is a signatory to the 1967 European Convention on the Adoption of Children, which restricts joint adoption to married couples. In the light of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, it is the Government's intention to denounce this outdated convention.

NHS: Delayed Discharge and Emergency Re-admission

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the statistics collected by the Department of Health on delayed discharge and emergency re-admission are publicly available on the Department of Health website; and, if they are not, for what reasons.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Quarterly national emergency re-admission and delayed discharge headline figures are made available on the Department of Health's website. The address is http://www.doh.uk/nhsquarterlyreview.

National Committees: Manufacturer Representatives

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 October (WA 36–37), whether they consider it would be appropriate for manufacturer representatives to be given the opportunity to sit on or present evidence to the various national committees.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: It is for individual national committees to decide, in the context of the issues under discussion, whether representatives from commercial manufacturers should be invited to address a committee or take part in a review.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Consultants and School Nurses

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many (1) child and adolescent psychiatrists and (2) paediatricians with expertise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder there are in (a) England and (b) Wales; and
	How many extra (1) consultants and (2) school nurses have been recruited in (a) England and (b) Wales to tackle attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cases.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Figures are not available concerning consultants and school nurses who have expertise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The figures that are available for England are shown in the table and show an increase in the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists to date of 40 (9 per cent) since 1997.
	Information for Wales is a matter for the devolved administration.
	
		
			  Headcount Headcount 
			  1997 2002 
			 Speciality England England 
			 Child and adolescent psychiatry 445 485 
			 Paediatric cardiology 16 54 
			 Paediatric neurology 23 30 
			 Paediatrics 1188 1502 
		
	
	Source: Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.
	Notes: Figures refer to staff in post on 31 March 2002 in the hospital, public health and community health service sectors in England.

Acrylamide

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, as suggested by David Byrne, the European Union Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, there is a potential risk of cancer to consumers, especially children, from frozen chips and crisps containing the chemical Acrylamide.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Acrylamide has been found to occur in a wide range of home-cooked and processed foods, including chips and crisps. It has not been found in uncooked or boiled foods, and appears to be formed during cooking by methods such as frying and baking.
	Acrylamide has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. However, this it not a new risk as it is likely that we have been exposed to acrylamide in food for generations.
	The Food Standards Agency is commissioning research and surveillance to ascertain the reason for, and extent of, acrylamide formation, but in the meantime has advised that on the basis of current evidence people should eat a balanced diet, including a variety of fruit and vegetables, and that as part of a balanced diet people should moderate their consumption of fried and fatty foods.

Care Trusts

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) what progress has been made in setting up care trusts; (b) which care trusts are being developed; and (c) when these are expected to operate as care trusts.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Five care trusts have so far been established, four in April 2002 and one on 1 October 2002. These were in April 2002, Bradford District Care Trust, Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, and Northumberland Care Trust; and in October 2002, Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust.
	Two further sites are planning to establish care trusts in April 2003 and one in October 2003. These are based in Sheffield, Sandwell and Bexley respectively. A further 13 sites have notified the department of their interest in setting up care trusts beyond 2003.

NHS: General and Acute In-patient Activity

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 29 July (WA 156), whether they are yet able to publish final figures for general and acute activity, analysed into elective and non-elective, for the year ended 31 March 2002.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Figures for general and acute in-patient activity in National Health Service trusts in England will be available from Hospital Episodes Statistics 2001–02. These will be published shortly and made available on the department's website.

Private Care Homes

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that the National Care Standards Commission regulates minimum standards for contracts between private care homes and residents.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Regulation 5 of the Care Homes Regulations 2001 requires all care home providers to produce a service user's guide, within which there should be a standard form of contract for the provision of services and facilities by the registered provider to service users.
	Compliance with these and other regulatory requirements is examined and reported upon by the National Care Standards Commission.

Private Care Homes

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of elderly people requiring residential care are in private care homes.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This information is not available centrally. At 31 March 2001, 84 per cent of residential care home places for people aged 65 and over were in independent care homes in England.

Hearing Aid Services

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they know when the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will complete and report on its review of the Institute of Hearing Research project to modernise hearing aid services; and what form this review will take.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Institute of Hearing Research is undertaking a research project on behalf of the Department of Health which we expect to report in early 2003. Once this report has been made available we will consider whether it is appropriate for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to undertake any further work on this topic.

Hearing Aid Services

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the existing sites chosen for the second phase of the Modernising Hearing Aid Services project are currently fitting digital hearing aids.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The process of modernisation has begun in all sites chosen for the second phase of the project. Site visits have been completed, equipment needs and additional funding determined and agreed. In addition, the vast majority have now received their equipment. Four of the second wave sites are now regularly prescribing digital hearing aids, and that number will be inceasing on a monthly basis. The Royal National Institute of Deaf People is co-ordinating the project on our behalf and expects the majority of the sites to be prescribing digital aids by the end of January 2003.

Hearing Aid Services

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the demands of leading edge technology, what plans are in place to improve the skills of existing technicians in the National Health Service's hearing aid service who will be needed to fit digital hearing aids now that there are plans to make these available to National Health Service patients.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Training has been incorporated as an integral part of the process of modernising hearing aid services. Staff at each site will be trained to use the information technology and audiological equipment when they join the project. In addition, some National Health Service trusts have already provided training for their own staff and are already able to access the digital hearing aids contract without being part of the project.

Hearing Aid Services

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimates have been made of the need for additional highly skilled technical staff to be recruited and trained to fit new digital hearing aids successfully; and what plans have been made to close the skills gap that is likely during the years before new graduates start working in this area.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The staffing and training requirements of a modernised hearing aid service providing digital hearing aids is being analysed as part of the Modernising Hearing Aid Services Project. The analysis of the project will be completed early in the new year. Provision for additional staff and training has been made in the funding allocations to each of the sites participating in the Modernising Hearing Aid Services Project. In addition, the Department of Health is carrying forward work on skill mix, recruitment and retention of staff in audiology departments.

Hearing Aid Services

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the pilot private finance initiative schemes with private hearing aid consultants currently in operation; and whether they intend to develop these further.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The small pilot project involving high street retailers in the supply of National Health Service digital hearing aids in Shrewsbury and Leeds is not yet completed. However, preliminary results suggest that it can be worth while involving the private sector in the provision of NHS hearing aids.

Diabetes

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will announce the publication date of the national service framework delivery strategy for diabetes; and what additional resources will be provided to ensure its successful implementation.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We shall be publishing the delivery strategy for the Diabetes National Service Framework in the next few weeks and we shall make announcements on funding for the National Health Service shortly.

NHS: Early Retirement Provision

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What sums of public money have been, or are to be, allocated to the National Health Service Pension Fund to provide concessionary pension benefits for health service employees who have been granted early retirement in the financial years 2001–02 and 2002–03 to date.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The amount recharged by the National Health Service Pensions Agency to employers in England and Wales in respect of early retirements for the financial year 2001–02 was £1.56 million. Data for financial year 2002–03 are not yet available.
	Early retirements include those from age 50 on the grounds of redundancy and retirements in the interests of the efficiency of the service.

Osteoporotic Surgery

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many patients underwent osteoporotic surgery in the last two quarters for which figures are available.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) with an operation and a primary diagnosis of osteoporosis (defined by ICD10 codes M80-M82) in National Health Service trusts in England was 1,579 in the quarter to 30 June 2001 and 1,687 in the quarter to 30 September 2001.
	An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one healthcare provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within the year.

Human Reproduction: Sex Selection Consultation

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the significance of asking respondents to the questionnaire on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's consultation document Sex Selection: Choice and Responsibility in Human Reproduction to identify themselves in a category called "pro life"; and why respondents are not also asked to identify themselves where appropriate in a category called "pro abortion".

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority gave organisations responding to its consultation on sex selection the opportunity to identify themselves as "pro life" because it is particularly interested in whether such groups would condone sex selection techniques, such as sperm sorting, that do not involve the destruction of embryos. The list of categories is not comprehensive and "pro abortion" organisations can take the opportunity to identify themselves as such if they so wish.

Abortion Act 1967, Section 1(1)(d)

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many abortions have been performed each year since 1990 under Section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967; and how many of these abortions have been performed after 24 weeks' gestation; and
	Whether medical practitioners performing abortions under Section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967 are legally obliged to specify the nature of the physical or mental abnormalities giving rise in their judgment to serious handicap when reporting such abortions to the Department of Health.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information requested is set out in the table.
	Any medical practitioner performing a termination of pregnancy under any grounds set out in the Abortion Act is legally required to notify the Chief Medical Officer on form HSA4. For abortions performed under Section 1(1)(d) practitioners are required to provide details of any foetal abnormalities diagnosed, together with method of diagnosis used, and any other reasons of termination; for example, a condition in a pregnant woman causing a suspected condition in a foetus.
	
		Legal Abortions—numbers performed on residents of England and Wales under Section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended
		
			 Year Total Over 24 weeks gestation(1) 
			 1990 1,601 21 
			 1991 1,721 58 
			 1992 1,811 53 
			 1993 1,941 61 
			 1994 1,805 81 
			 1995 1,828 63 
			 1996 1,929 85 
			 1997 1,853 66 
			 1998 1,830 73 
			 1999 1,813 89 
			 2000 1,833 94 
			 2001 1,722 100 
		
	
	(1) Figures for 1990 to 1997 are of abortions performed at 25 weeks 0 days gestation or more and may include a very small number of abortions performed under sections other than 1(1)(d); figures from 1998 onwards are of abortions under Section 1(1)(d) performed at 24 weeks 0 days gestation or more.
	Source:
	Statistics Division 3G, Department of Health.

Healthcare Workers: Smallpox

Baroness Goudie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to protect key healthcare workers against any possible smallpox emergency.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Since the tragic events of September 11, the Department of Health has strengthened its plans against any deliberate release of biological agents, including smallpox.
	We have no evidence of a specific threat of a smallpox attack on the United Kingdom. However, it is sensible and prudent to ensure that the National Health Service can deal with any potential threat.
	There are three components to the department's preparation for response to a possible smallpox emergency: improved vaccine stocks, a plan of action and a cohort of immunised staff who could deal safely with any potential smallpox cases.
	We have already taken action substantially to increase our stocks of smallpox vaccine and we have recently begun a second procurement to add to these stocks.
	The Department of Health is today publishing an interim plan of action for discussion and comment over the coming month. Under this plan, it is intended to establish 12 regional smallpox response groups around the UK. They will consist of infectious disease physicians and paediatricians, public health physicians, microbiologists/virologists, acute care and communicable disease control nurses and occupational health staff.
	This core group of NHS staff will need to be immune to smallpox and therefore able to react quickly and work safely with patients with actual or suspected smallpox. Preparations for the vaccination of these key workers is now under way. I expect these vaccinations to be completed by the end of next month. It is intended to vaccinate around 350 healthcare staff across the UK. This will be on an entirely voluntary basis with informed consent. The Ministry of Defence, with which we are working closely, is planning to vaccinate a similar cohort of specialist military personnel.
	The plan also explains how smallpox cases would be handled in various scenarios. The Department of Health's primary strategy would be to contain and ring vaccinate around any outbreak. The teams of vaccinated healthcare staff are central to delivering this strategy.
	These plans are a practical precaution designed to ensure the UK is prepared for any possible smallpox emergency. They are in line with World Health Organisation advice and will be kept under review.
	Similar interim plans are being prepared for publication by the devolved administrations.
	This work has been taken forward under the cross-governmental civil contigency machinery for which the Home Secretary has overall responsibility.

NHS Pay

Baroness David: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their plans for modernisation of National Health Service pay.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are pleased to be able to announce that on 28 November negotiators representing the United Kingdom health departments, National Health Service employers and NHS trades unions successfully concluded negotiations on a new pay system for NHS staff (with the exception of those within the remit of the Doctors and Dentists Review Body and the most senior managers). It represents the most radical transformation of the NHS pay system since the foundation of the service in 1948. The proposed new system will now go out for consultation with organisations representing NHS staff.
	Over the three year period from 2003–04 to 2005–06 the overall package will mean an average increase of 12.5 per cent. in basic pay for NHS staff. It will give a 10 per cent. pay increase over three years for all staff, plus an average 5.9 per cent. in the longer run linked to modernisation.
	The proposed new pay system will be based on a new system of job evaluation. This means that the basic pay that NHS staff receive will reflect the knowledge, responsibility, skills and effort required in their job, rather than their historic job title or occupational group. To progress fully in the new pay system, staff will need to demonstrate a level of applied skills and knowledge appropriate to their level of responsibility.
	The new system will also introduce clearer rewards for staff who work flexibly outside traditional working hours. It will give extra flexibilities for local NHS employers to create new types of jobs and to make extra payments to reflect recruitment and retention pressures. Instead of almost 650 different staff grades and thousands of different allowances, there will be a simple set of core terms and conditions based on eight pay bands, including simple, harmonised arrangements for working hours and annual leave.
	The new system is designed to ensure fair pay for staff, based on the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, and a clearer system of career progression. It will also directly support modernisation of patient care. It will provide new opportunities for staff to take on new responsibilities, breaking down old-fashioned demarcations and enabling jobs to be redesigned around the needs of the patient. It will produce a more sensible division of labour, with nurses, therapists and healthcare assistants taking on new roles that improve NHS productivity and free up more of doctors' and other senior clinicians' time for direct patient care.
	Clearer rewards for flexible working will help make NHS services more widely available to patients in the evenings and weekends. Improvements in pay, career and training prospects will help recruit an estimated 10,000 more nurses and other health professionals and an estimated 27,000 healthcare assistants by 2006–07 in England, particularly in high cost areas such as London. A clearer link between pay and development of knowledge and skills will help deliver higher and more consistent standards of NHS patient care.
	If the new system is approved following consultation, implementation will start in 12 NHS sites in spring 2003, with full implementation starting in October 2004.
	A summary of the proposed new pay system has been placed in the Library.

Education Sector: IT Provision

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of recent reports about the £57,000 quarterly Internet bill charged to Sandhurst primary school in Lewisham, what arrangements are in place for government funding of Internet connections in particular, and information technology provision more generally, for the education sector.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Schools are individually responsible for their own Internet charges, whether they negotiate their own contracts or purchase through their LEAs. As part of the department's broadband policy, 10 regional broadband consortia were set up to achieve cost-effective broadband connections for schools. The Prime Minister announced on 19 November that every primary and secondary school in the country will be provided with broadband Internet access by 2006.
	The Government have made over £1.8 billion available for ICT provision in schools in England over 1998 to 2004. This funding is to introduce and develop schools' ICT infrastructure, including hardware, content, training and Internet connectivity.
	In higher education, the Government have provided over £250 million over 2001 to 2004 for improving institutions' local networks; further digitisation of material to meet the growing demands for online information; and upgrading the transatlantic link connecting with the Joint Academy Network (JANet) further to facilitiate international collaboration in research.
	In further education, the Government have funded the National Learning Network (NLN) to improve hardware and connectivity, develop staff skills, provide learning materials and guide effective learning, teaching and management across the post-16 sector: £42 million is available in the current and next financial years to support the network.

Department for Education and Skills: Outside Consultancies

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much money was spent in each year from 1997–98 to 2001–02 on outside consultancies by the Department for Education and Skills.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: This information is not held centrally and it would require a departmental trawl, at disproportionate cost, to gather the necessary information to answer the Question.

Tourism Industry: Insurance

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they believe that tourism organisations should advise the tourism industry of the limitations of existing insurance cover and, together with the regional development agencies, make representations to the insurance industry for the development of policies that would provide cover in the circumstances that occurred in counties seriously affected by foot and mouth disease in 2001.

Baroness Blackstone: It is a matter for tourism trade organisations to decide on which issues they should advise their members. For instance, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) decided to advise its members in March 2001, following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, that business interruption policies do not usually cover losses incurred following an outbreak, unless the business's access is closed. If the tourism industry does not consider that suitable insurance cover exists for risks such as those arising from an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, then it can make representations to the insurance industry. As sponsors of the tourism and hospitality industry, my department will consider how it can work with the industry on this matter, if we are approached about it.

Thomas Coram Foundation

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the problems associated with the Thomas Coram Foundation's charitable status have been resolved so that the pictures in the Bloomsbury gallery will be on regular public view.

Baroness Blackstone: Legal advice to the Thomas Coram Foundation has confirmed that the revised proposals for the establishment of a museum are acceptable. The required works are likely to take place over a period of two years, following which the collection will once again be available for public viewing.

Belfast Agreement: Cross-Border Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 November (WA 160) concerning implementation boards, whether any accounting years other than the calendar year apply; and, if so, when and why.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the response provided to PQ HL 6079 on 7 November. The calendar year is the only accounting year which applies to implementation bodies.

Northern Ireland: Post-Primary Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give an undertaking that any replacement for the 11-plus examination in Northern Ireland will be based on the wishes of parents, teachers and the community and that full consultation will take place.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Extensive consultation on the Burns proposals demonstrated a demand for change and support for the abolition of the transfer tests among the education partners, schools, Churches, political parties, voluntary and community organisations and the public. The Government are taking forward the review of post-primary education and are working towards the abolition of the transfer tests as soon as practical. No decisions have been taken on academic selection or on new post-primary arrangements.
	Jane Kennedy is meeting with political parties and Department of Education officials are meeting with education partners and representatives of parents to discuss the next steps in the post-primary review. The Government will consider the views expressed in these meetings and in the responses to all the strands of the consultation in determining how best to develop new post-primary arrangements which meet the educational needs of all the children in Northern Ireland.